Hot gas valve

ABSTRACT

A valve for operation in a hot gas environment having a hydraulically operated movable member which is hollow and open at one end. Secured in the shell opening is a hollow cup-like insert which is formed of a porous material impregnated with a coolant material which when operated to open and close a hot gas passage thereby controlling flow of hot gas therethrough.

I United States Patent 1151 3,680,788 Cox 1 51 Aug. 1, 1972 [54] HOT GASVALVE 3,132,478 5/1964 Thielman ..239/265.23

I t z D 3,145,529 8/1964 Maloof ..102/92.5 [72] 3,147,590 9/1964Thielman ..60/231 [73] Assxgnee: Thlokol Chemical Corporation, 3,150,4869/1964 Hollstein etal ..239/136 Bristol, Pa. 3,304,008 2/1967 Beam, Jr..239/265.l7 [22] Flled: June 1966 Primary Examiner-Samuel Feinberg [21]Appl. No.: 560,375 Attorney-Thomas W. Brennan [52] U.S. Cl...239/265.23, 60/231, 137/340, [57] ABSTRACT 251 3 7 251/3 A valve foroperation in a hot gas environment having 51 Im. c1. ..B63h 25/46, B64C15/16 a hydraulically Operated movable membFr which is [58] Field ofSearch ..239/265.23, 265.17; 60/230, hollow and Open at [56] ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,994,338 8/1961 Wilson ..l37/340 opening isa hollow cup-like insert which is formed of a porous materialimpregnated with a coolant material which when operated to open andclose a hot gas passage thereby controlling flow of hot gastherethrough.

13 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAHB 1 1912 3.680.788

l8 INVENTOR Duane M 60X PATENTEDMI 1 I972 3.680.788

sum 2 0F 2 M INVENTOR.

Duane M. Cox

HOT GAS VALVE The present invention relates to a hot gas valve and moreparticularly to a hot gas valve adapted to operate in the hot gasenvironment of a rocket motor combustion chamber for the purpose ofcontrolling the flow of hot gases bled through a laterally directedorifice in the exit cone of a rocket motor nozzle for thrust vectorcontrol of the propulsive gases passing therethrough.

It has been recognized that a rocket could be effectively steered bybleeding and diverting some of the propulsive gases of the rocketthrough a laterally directed orifice or port so that they impinge uponthe main stream of the propulsive gases passing through the exit cone ofa rocket nozzle substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axisthereof. However, valve devices heretofore proposed for controlling thediverted gases did not prove successful forthe reasons that the hightemperature and erosive nature of the propulsive gases quickly destroyedthe valves and rendered the thrust vector control system inoperative.

The present invention overcomes theproblems and disadvantages of theproposed devices by providing a valve device having parts adapted fortranspiration cooling and capable of operating in the hot gasenvironment of a rocket motor combustion chamber employing high-energypropellants having high flame temperatures exceeding 5,700 F.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a hotgas valve device which will effectively control the flow of hotpropulsive gases.

Another object is the provision of a valve device which can withstandthe destructive effects of the hot gases of a rocket motor.

A further object is to provide a hot' gas valve capable of operatingwithin a rocket motor combustion chamber and effectively controlling theflow of hotgases therefrom through an orifice in the exit cone of arocket nozzle. 7

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become morefully apparent from consideration of the following detailed descriptionrelating to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the relationship ofthe valve of this invention to a rocket motor and the nozzle thereof;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view, on a larger scale, of th valve device ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detail sectional view, on a larger scale, of the pintle ofthe valve device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view somewhat similar to FIG. 2, but only partlyin section, of a modified form of the valve device and showing theseating relation thereof;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the pintle of the valve device of FIG. 4;and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary detail sectional view showing resilientconnecting linkage.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference charactersdesignate like or corresponding parts through ut the several views,there is shown in FIG. 1 a fragmentary sectional view of a rocket motordesignated generally by reference numeral 10. Rocket motor 10 comprisesa casing 11 suitably lined with insulation 12 and containing motorpropellant 13, a nozzle 14 having an insert 15 through which a laterallydirected injection orifice or port 16 extends and a valve device 17 forcontrolling the flow of hot gases from the casing through the orifice.Nozzle 14 is disposed with the major portion thereof within casing 11 toprovide an internal or submerged nozzle, orifice 16 being positioned sothat the secondary hot gas injection therethrough is directed into theexit cone substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of thenozzle. Valve device 17 is provided with a flange 18 for mounting thesame in the casing 11 and has associated therewith the usual portingblock 19 and servovalve 21 for hydraulic actuation of the valve device.

Turning now to FIG. 2, there is shown a sectional view of the valvedevice 17 which comprises a support member 22 formed with the mountingflange 18 and a multi-bore actuator housing 23 and having a pair ofhydraulic ducts 24, 25 therethrough. Mounted for reciprocal movementwithin housing 23 is a cup-like piston mechanism 26 comprising a headplate 27 and an annular portion 28 interconnected by thin side 29, allintegrally formed. Annular portion 28 is fitted for sealed'slidingmovement within an intermediate bore portion 31 of housing 23 and issimilarly fitted to a stationary gland or sleeve 32 disposed withinportion 28, sleeve 32 having a flange 33 sealed to the intermediate boreportion 31 of housing 23 and held in place by a pin 34 and threadedretaining means 35. Plate 27 and thin side 29 are of smaller diameterthan annular portion 28 and are fitted for sealed sliding engagementwithin the smallest diameter bore portion 36 of housing 23. The usualO-rings (not shown) are employed for sealing as necessary. Threadedclosure cap 37 serves to close off the rear end of housing 23.

Duct 24 communicates with an annular chamber 38 defined by the spacebetween the rear face of annular portion 28 and flange 33 and betweenintermediate bore portion 31 and sleeve 32. Duct 25 communicates with anannular chamber 39 defined by the space between the front face ofportion 28-and the shoulder 41 formed by the-difierence indiameterbetween bore portions 31 and 36'and between thin side 29 and boreportion 31. As will be apparent, forcing hydraulic'fluid into chamber 38by way of duct 24 will expand the chamber and move the piston mechanism26 to the right as viewed in FIG. 2, and to the left when chamber 39 isexpanded by way of fluid admitted through duct 25.

Connected to the piston 26 for movement therewith is a pintle member,designated generally by reference numeral 42 and hereinafter describedin greater detail, and a connector 43 operatively attached to themovable element (not shown) of a feedback means fixedly supported withinsleeve 32, which feedback means may be any desired form of transducer,for example, a linear potentiometer. Suitable leads (not shown) arebrought through support member 22 for conveying the feedback signal tocontrol instrumentation (not shown). Pintle 42 is surrounded along themajor portion thereof by a protective housing 44 of suitable thermalinsulation for example, molded carbon fiber phenolic overwrapped withcarbon tape, and is slidable therewithin. Housing 44 is suitably securedat its inner or rear end to bore portion 36, as by threading or thelike. A jacket 45 of suitable heat-resistant material, for example,thermal rubber insulation, provides protection to the actuator housing23 and the parts therein.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional detail view of the pintle member 42 whichcomprises a hollow shell or housing 46 in the form of a cup-like memberof temperature resistant material, such as tungsten or thoriatedtungsten, the latter being preferred because of its machinability andfor the reason that the thorium oxide inhibits weldment of mating partsunder high temperature and impact conditions. Received within shell 46is an insert 47, also cup-like in form and made of a porousheat-resistant material, such as tungsten or the like. As will be noted,insert 47 has thin sides 48 and a relatively thick bottom 49 and achamber or cavity 51 filled with a coolant substance 52, such as brass,copper, silver, sodium or the like, the substance 52 also filling thepores or interstices of the insert 47 for providing an impregnated valvepart which, in a hot gas environment, is transpiration cooled by changeof state of the substance from solid to liquid and the vaporization andcarrying off the liquified substance from the interstices of the insert.Change of state of the substance in cavity 51, which constitutes areservoir for maintaining the interstices filled, and the heat capacityand conductivity of the several parts also serve in keeping the valvedevice 17 sufficiently cool to withstand the destructive effects of thehot gas environment. Bottom 49 and shell 46 are threaded, as at 50, forsecurely retaining insert 47 in place.

Connected to the inner or rear end of shell 26, by threads or othersuitable means, is a connecting link assembly comprising a metallichousing 53, which receives a washer 54 and a plug or cap 55 and holdsthe latter in place adjacent the rear end of the shell. A bolt 56,having a head 57 received in cap 55, extends rearwardly therefrom andpasses through a metal washer 58, an expansion washer 59, washer 54, abushing or sleeve 61, and an expansion washer 62, washers 59 and 62being of rubber or the like. Bolt 56 is provided with threads or othersuitable means for connection to and movement with plate 27 of piston26. Parts 54, 55 and 61 are for the purpose of insulating bolt 56 andare made of a suitable plastic, for example, silica phenolic.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate features of a clearance type valve, so calledbecause in the extended or closed position of the pintle 42 the endthereof projects into orifice 16 with a very small clearance annulustherebetween and a resulting gas leakage rate in the order of about 2percent. FIG. 4 illustrates a seating type valve device 17 which isessentially similar to valve device 17 in design and operation, exceptfor several features to be described. It will be noted that valve device17' has a valve pintle 42 with a tapered end 60 which joins thecylindrical sides of the pintle on a radius or curved edge 63 that isadapted to seat on a frusto-conical surface 64 at the mouth of anorifice 16' in an insert 15' (shown fragmentarily in phantom), which isa modified form of the insert 15 in FIG. 2. The tapered end serves toguide the pintle into alignment and protective housing 44' may be cutaway, as at 65, to accommodate any slight misalignment.

FIG. is a sectional detail view of the pintle 42 employed in valvedevice 17. Items 46' through 52' are similar in purpose and function toitems 46 through 52, respectively, of pintle 42, except that parts 46'and 49' are cut away to provide the frusto-conical or tapered end 63 andthe rear end of shell 46 is formed with a conical recess 66.

Because of the impact loads imposed upon pintle 42' in seating onsurface 64, the connecting link assembly is modified to provide forcushioning of the pintle during such seating. To this end, housing orsleeve 67 is threaded to shell 46 and contains an insulating bushing orsleeve 68, an expansion washer 69, an insulating washer 71 and aninsulating plug or cap 72 formed with a cavity 73 and a conical end 74which fits into conical recess 66. Abutting the rear end of housing 67is an insulating washer 75 of stepped form against the rear side ofwhich is a metal washer 76. A bolt 77 has a head 78 disposed in thecavity 73 in plug 72 and extends through items 68, 69, 71, 75 and 76with provision for movement relative thereto, a clearance normallyexisting between the bolt head and the end wall 79 of the cavity toaccommodate such movement.

Bolt 77 is adapted to be connected by threads or the like to the pistonwhich, as will be seen in FIG. 6, is formed with an extension 81 andprovides a shoulder 82, washers 75 and 76 being disposed about theextension. Also surrounding the extension 81 and reacting betweenshoulder 82 and the rear face of washer 76 is a cushion or resilientlinkage in the form of a pair of thin discs or washers 83 of springmetal, for example, steel, which are dished so the sides thereof defineinner and outer and frusto-conical surfaces. Washers 83 are referred toas belleville washers. Upon actuation of the piston to move the pintleto closed position (to the right in FIG. 6) force is transmitted throughwashers 83, the washers being preloaded and normally holding the bolthead 78 against washer 71. However, with increased loading of the pintleduring seating, washers 83 deform and absorb energy, permitting movementof the bolt 77 relative to bushing 68 and associated parts, a clearancespace 84 between extension 81 and the bushing accommodating relativemovement therebetween. Washer 76 has the inner periphery thereof roundedto prevent binding and allow for any slight misalignment of the pintleand orifice.

While only one valve device has been shown and described as related to arocket nozzle, it is to be understood that a plurality of such deviceswould be provided and located around the exit cone of the noule so as toeffect steering in any desired direction.

The operation of the valve devices of this invention should be apparentfrom the foregoing description. However, briefly and in summary,ordinarily propulsive gases are developed in the rocket motor with thevalve pintles in their extended or closed positions. When it is desiredto effect steering of the rocket the appropriate valve device or devicesare operated to retract the pintles thereof and allow hot gases to flowthrough the uncovered orifice or orifices and impinge upon the mainstream of propulsive gases passing through the exit cone of the rocketnozzle for thrust vector control of the rocket. After the desired amountof thrust vectoring, the valve devices would be actuated to closedpositions.

Of the embodiments of the valve devices shown and described herein, theseating type is preferred because the valve stroke versus valve flowarea relationship is more linear, the stroke is shorter, it is lesssusceptible to erosion and deposition, and easier to design in that thepintle does not enter the orifice and it is not as important todetermine exactly the radial growth of the pintle during operation withthe attendant advantage that machining tolerances can be relaxed andhigher reliability is inherent since there is no possibility of agripping action between the pintle and the sides of the orifice.

Although FIG. 6 shows the resilient linkage as employing a pair ofdished discs or washers, it will be appreciated that more than a pair,or even a single disc of sufficient strength and flexibility, could beused, and that each disc could be made up of a plurality of thin discsstacked together to provide the desired strength and stiffness.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention arepossible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. In a rocket thrust vector control system, the combination comprisinga rocket nozzle having the major portion thereof disposed within arocket motor casing, said nozzle having a laterally directed orificeextending through the side thereof communicating the interiors of saidcasing and nozzle, a hot gas valve device disposed within said casingand having a movable member for controlling the flow of hot gasesthrough said orifice, said member containing a hollow cup-like parthaving a bottom portion adapted to be located relative to said orificefor controlling the flow of hot gases therethrough, at least the bottomportion of said part being formed of porous material having a highmelting point and impregnated with a coolant material having arelatively lower melting point than the material of said part, and saidcoolant material filling the hollow of said part and constituting areservoir for maintaining said porous material impregnated.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said porous material is tungstenand said coolant material includes a substance selected from the groupcomprising brass, copper, silver, sodium and the like.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said bottom portion is threadedlyengaged in said member.

4. As an article of manufacture, a valve pintle comprising a hollowhousing with cylindrical sides and an open forward end, a cup-likeinsert of porous material having thin sides and thick bottom, saidinsert secured in said housing in inverted fashion with said bottomclosing said forward end of the housing and forming therewith a chamber,and coolant filler material adapted for transpiration cooling of saidinsert filling said chamber and the interstices of the porous materialof said insert.

5. The article of claim 4 wherein said housing is formed of thoriatedtungsten and said porous material is tungsten, and said coolant fillermaterial is any substance selected from the group comprising brass,copper, silver, sodium and the like.

6. The article of claim 4 wherein said bottom and said housing areprovided with threads for securing said insert in the housing.

7. The article of claim 4 wherein said housing and said bottom havetapered portions which together define a tapered end, and said taperedend is joined to said cylindrical sides on a radius.

8. A hot gas valve device comprising a longitudinally movable membe saidmember including a hollow shell open at one en and a cup-like insertecured in sai shell and closing the open end thereof defining'areservoir therein, said insert being formed of porous tungsten materialimpregnated with a metallic coolant substance selected from the groupconsisting of brass, copper, silver, sodium and the like having a lowermelting point than said material, said metallic substance filling saidreservoir for maintaining said porous tungsten material impregnated, andactuator means for moving said member.

9. A hot gas valve device comprising a longitudinally movable member,said member including a hollow shell open at one end and a hollowcup-like insert secured in said shell and closing the open end thereof,said insert being formed of a porous material impregnated with a coolantsubstance having a lower melting point than said material and with thinsides and a relatively thick bottom portion, and actuator means formoving said member.

10; The device of claim 9 wherein said bottom portion of said insert isthreaded to said shell.

11. A hot gas valve device comprising a longitudinally movable member,said member including a hollow shell open at one end and a hollowcup-like insert secured in said shell and closing the open end thereof,said insert being formed of a porous material and impregnated with acoolant substance having a lower melting point than said material,actuator means for moving said member, and insulated bolt means forconnecting said actuator means to said member comprising a resilientlinkage including dished washer means.

12. A hot gas valve device comprising a longitudinally movable member,said member including a hollow shell open at one end and a hollowcup-like insert secured in said shell and closing the open end thereof,said insert being formed of a porous material and impregnated with acoolant substance having a lower melting point than said material,actuator means for moving said member, and insulated bolt means forconnecting said actuator means to said member comprising a bolt having ahead received in an insulating cap located adjacent the closed end ofsaid shell, and an insulating bushing surrounding the stern of saidbolt.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein said bolt means further includesdished washer means and provision is made for movement of said boltrelative to said cap and bushing, said dished washer accommodating saidrelative movement.

1. In a rocket thrust vector control system, the combination comprisinga rocket nozzle having the major portion thereof disposed within arocket motor casing, said nozzle having a laterally directed orificeextending through the side thereof communicating the interiors of saidcasing and nozzle, a hot gas valve device disposed within said casingand having a movable member for controlling the flow of hot gasesthrough said orifice, said member containiNg a hollow cup-like parthaving a bottom portion adapted to be located relative to said orificefor controlling the flow of hot gases therethrough, at least the bottomportion of said part being formed of porous material having a highmelting point and impregnated with a coolant material having arelatively lower melting point than the material of said part, and saidcoolant material filling the hollow of said part and constituting areservoir for maintaining said porous material impregnated.
 2. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said porous material is tungsten and saidcoolant material includes a substance selected from the group comprisingbrass, copper, silver, sodium and the like.
 3. The combination of claim2 wherein said bottom portion is threadedly engaged in said member. 4.As an article of manufacture, a valve pintle comprising a hollow housingwith cylindrical sides and an open forward end, a cup-like insert ofporous material having thin sides and thick bottom, said insert securedin said housing in inverted fashion with said bottom closing saidforward end of the housing and forming therewith a chamber, and coolantfiller material adapted for transpiration cooling of said insert fillingsaid chamber and the interstices of the porous material of said insert.5. The article of claim 4 wherein said housing is formed of thoriatedtungsten and said porous material is tungsten, and said coolant fillermaterial is any substance selected from the group comprising brass,copper, silver, sodium and the like.
 6. The article of claim 4 whereinsaid bottom and said housing are provided with threads for securing saidinsert in the housing.
 7. The article of claim 4 wherein said housingand said bottom have tapered portions which together define a taperedend, and said tapered end is joined to said cylindrical sides on aradius.
 8. A hot gas valve device comprising a longitudinally movablemember, said member including a hollow shell open at one end and acup-like insert secured in said shell and closing the open end thereofdefining a reservoir therein, said insert being formed of poroustungsten material impregnated with a metallic coolant substance selectedfrom the group consisting of brass, copper, silver, sodium and the likehaving a lower melting point than said material, said metallic substancefilling said reservoir for maintaining said porous tungsten materialimpregnated, and actuator means for moving said member.
 9. A hot gasvalve device comprising a longitudinally movable member, said memberincluding a hollow shell open at one end and a hollow cup-like insertsecured in said shell and closing the open end thereof, said insertbeing formed of a porous material impregnated with a coolant substancehaving a lower melting point than said material and with thin sides anda relatively thick bottom portion, and actuator means for moving saidmember.
 10. The device of claim 9 wherein said bottom portion of saidinsert is threaded to said shell.
 11. A hot gas valve device comprisinga longitudinally movable member, said member including a hollow shellopen at one end and a hollow cup-like insert secured in said shell andclosing the open end thereof, said insert being formed of a porousmaterial and impregnated with a coolant substance having a lower meltingpoint than said material, actuator means for moving said member, andinsulated bolt means for connecting said actuator means to said membercomprising a resilient linkage including dished washer means.
 12. A hotgas valve device comprising a longitudinally movable member, said memberincluding a hollow shell open at one end and a hollow cup-like insertsecured in said shell and closing the open end thereof, said insertbeing formed of a porous material and impregnated with a coolantsubstance having a lower melting point than said material, actuatormeans for moving said member, and insulated bolt means for connectingsaid actuator means to said member comprising a bolt having a headreceivEd in an insulating cap located adjacent the closed end of saidshell, and an insulating bushing surrounding the stem of said bolt. 13.The device of claim 12 wherein said bolt means further includes dishedwasher means and provision is made for movement of said bolt relative tosaid cap and bushing, said dished washer accommodating said relativemovement.